Albion's impressive first season in the Premier League is over - but preparations are already underway for the second.

The revised transfer window opens tomorrow, just four days after the closing fixture against Liverpool at Anfield.

Chief sports reporter Andy Naylor guides you through the close season timetable and what to look out for during the summer break.

Why is the summer transfer window open so early?

Premier League clubs voted for it to finish before next season starts.

It has to be open for 12 weeks under FIFA regulations, hence the earlier start.

When does it finish then?

Deadline day is August 9 at 5pm. The first Premier League match of the new season will be the night after, with the rest of the opening round of games from August 11 to 13.

What about the rest of Europe?

The changes have only been adopted so far by the Premier League and Championship. The other major European leagues are sticking with the June 1 to August 31 schedule.

Is that a problem?

It could be. English clubs may find themselves at a disadvantage. They will be unable to add to their squads beyond August 9 but could still lose players to teams outside England until August 31 without the scope to replace them.

When are the fixtures out?

They are released at 9am on June 14, the same day as the World Cup starts with hosts Russia facing Saudi Arabia.

Albion will be hoping for an easier start this time than Manchester City at home and Leicester away - and an easier finish than Man Utd at home, Man City and Liverpool away.

What difference will the World Cup make?

Some players may want their futures sorted out before the finals begin. Others in high demand are more likely to keep their options open until afterwards. The World Cup ends on July 15.

What difference will it make to Albion?

Manager Chris Hughton is pleased the window shuts this time before the seasons starts. Albion like to try to get some business done early - Pascal Gross's move from Ingolstadt last summer was announced on May 19 - but the timetable change is unlikely to affect the customary late business across the board as clubs, players and their agents manoeuvre for the best deals.

The Argus: Plans can also be dependent on other transfers falling into place. For example, Albion had lined up Deportivo La Coruna's Romanian international striker Florin Andone (above) at the end of last summer's transfer window.

It was wrecked by the collapse of Guido Carrillo's proposed move from Monaco to Deportivo. The Argentinian is now with Southampton.

How busy will Albion be?

Hughton does not anticipate them being quite as busy as last summer, when they added EIGHT players to the first team squad for a total cost of over £55 million, the majority from top leagues throughout Europe.

Jurgen Locadia was added in January for a club record £14 million.

How successful have the signings last summer been?

Very. Gross, Mathew Ryan, Davy Propper and Jose Izquierdo have all been influential regulars.

Tim Krul provided accomplished back-up for Ryan, Ezequiel Schelotto and Markus Suttner have been alternatives to Bruno and Gaetan Bong in the The Argus: full-back positions.

On-loan Chelsea attacking midfielder Izzy Brown (above) unluckily got injured just as he was potentially about to play a more prominent part.

What areas require strengthening?

Pretty much all departments. The goalkeeping group is dependent on what happens behind Ryan with out-of-contract pair Tim Krul and Niki Maenpaa. This could also impact on Christian Walton, back from helping Wigan to the League One title.

Uwe Huenemeier is returning to Paderborn, so at least one central defender is needed (Connor Goldson is also desperate for games).

The exits of Liam Rosenior and Steve Sidwell creates vacancies for defensive versatility and in central midfield.

Who else might need replacing?

Czech winger Jiri Skalak (below) was part of the 25-man Premier League squad this season but did not make an appearance.

The Argus: Strikers Tomer Hemed and Sam Baldock have both been frustrated by a lack of opportunities. Leo Ulloa's future is unclear after his loan return from Leicester in January.

Potential targets?

Albion have already been linked with some familiar names confirmed by The Argus as targets in previous windows - Andone, Thomas Delaney, Karl Toko Ekambi, Raphael Dwamena.

Others such as Tammy Abraham and Nick Powell could potentially be revisited.

The likes of Stephane Bahoken, Franco Cervi and Alexander Golovin have also been mentioned in the customary frenzy of speculation. If Albion signed everyone they are linked to they would have four Premier League squads.

When do the players report back?

June 28, the same day that England play Belgium in the World Cup and Colombia (probably Jose Izquierdo) meet Senegal.

The last group game for Ryan's Australia is against Peru two days earlier.